PDF in the News

PDF Gala Raises Record Funds!

- May 20 2007

On Wednesday, May 16, hundreds of supporters gathered at The Pierre in New York City for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation’s (PDF) annual gala, Bal du Printemps. Despite the rain clouds darkening the sky, guests helped PDF honor our 50th anniversary by raising a record amount of funds for our research programs – more than $800,000!

As attendees came in from the rain, they mingled over cocktail hour and perused a fantastic display of silent auction items, including artwork created by people with Parkinson’s disease that was acquired through PDF’s PDCreativity Project.

Guests proceeded to the Grand Ballroom for a sumptuous dinner and a program highlighting PDF’s major achievements over the years – and the people who made these accomplishments possible. PDF Board Member Margo Catsimatidis read the touching words of Page Morton Black, PDF Chairman, who was unable to attend the event. In her comments, Mrs. Black acknowledged the many individuals who helped make the gala a success.

Early in the evening, PDF honored Lt. Governor David A. Paterson with the 50th Anniversary Award for Leadership in Public Policy for his tireless work in the state legislature to get $600 million included in New York State’s fiscal year 2008 budget to support regenerative medicine and stem-cell research. Lt. Governor Paterson’s witty and passionate remarks easily made him a crowd favorite.

The audience was then treated to a message from Harry Morgan, father of Dinner Chairman and PDF Board Member Howard Dewitt Morgan, via video from Romania. Mr. Morgan thanked everyone for their great work on behalf of PDF, and reminded people how important their efforts are to the millions of people in the world, like him, who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Following his father, Howard Morgan took the stage to welcome everyone and thank them for their support of PDF with their attendance at the gala.

To round out the event, Dr. Stanley Fahn, PDF Scientific Director, presented The Page and William Black Humanitarian Award to The Sol and Lillian Goldman Family, generous patrons and friends of PDF. Since the passing of Sol and Lillian, their children Allan, Diane, Amy and Jane have continued to carry the torch for the family’s philanthropic endeavors. Amy Goldman and Stephanie Goldman Pittel delivered eloquent and inspiring acceptance remarks that reinforced the urgency to find the cure for Parkinson’s disease.

PDF thanks all who attended the event and all who contributed to its success. In particular, we thank this year’s Gala Chairs, Karen Burke Goulandris, M.D., Ph.D., and Isobel Robins Konecky; Honorary Chairs Page Morton Black and Judith Sulzberger, M.D.; Auction Chair Arlene Levine; Dinner Chairman Howard Dewitt Morgan and Corporate Co-Chairs John K. Castle, John and Margo Catsimatidis and Alan and Kathy Greenberg.

Source Date: May 20 2007